More Information

Military Science

Army ROTC prepares students with the leadership skills and abilities through an applied model of training and mentorship to face the challenges of an ever-changing environment. Students who accept the challenge to become an Army officer may be eligible for a four year scholarship to include: 100 percent tuition & fees (minus aviation), $1,200 per year book allowance, and a tax -free stipend based on academic status ($300/month – freshman, $350/month – sophomore, $450/month – junior, $500/month – senior).

Army ROTC courses are categorized as a basic course (freshman and sophomore courses) or advance course (junior and senior courses). Any student may take a basic course and physical fitness classes without military obligation or prerequisites. Advance course classes are limited to qualified contracted students (see cadre for details). Typically, ROTC students take one three-credit class (2 to 3 hours per week), one workshop/leadership laboratory per week, and one overnight field exercise per semester in addition to their other classes. ROTC students also participate in physical fitness training (3 hours per week). The program provides opportunities to attend confidence-building courses during the summer such as the air assault or airborne schools, mountain warfare, and summer internships. The program works with its Army ROTC host battalion at Montana State University.

ROTC (military science) is neither a major nor a minor. All cadets who seek a commission must graduate with one of Rocky Mountain College’s recognized majors. Cadets also plan and conduct other military events and participate in various leadership experiences each semester.

ROTC Curriculum

A maximum of 12 semester hours from the advanced courses in the military science curriculum may be applied as electives toward the student's degree. There are various other military science courses that may be available but are not part of the required ROTC curriculum. These include MLS 404 and MLS 405.

Basic Course

The ROTC program is divided between the basic course and the advance course. The basic course consists of freshman and sophomore classes. Any student may take any basic course and the physical conditioning classes without prerequisite or military obligation. The basic course classes are:

MLS 101: Introduction to Military Leadership Skills
MLS 102: Basic Leadership Skills and Concepts
MLS 201: Leadership Development and Life Skills
MLS 202: Leadership Management and Team Building

The physical conditioning class is:

MLS 106: Army Physical Conditioning and Training (co-requisite taken every semester with basic and advanced courses.)

Advance Course

Only qualified, contracted ROTC cadets may take advance course classes:

After the successful completion of ROTC requirements and graduation, cadets are commissioned as 2nd lieutenants in the U.S. Army. Cadets have the option of going into active duty, the Army Reserves, or the National Guard. Stipulations do apply.

MLS 101 - Introduction to Military Leadership Skills

Semester: Fall, Spring, and Summer Semester hours: 2 Establishes a framework for understanding officership, leadership, Army values and physical fitness, time management, communications theory and practice (written and oral), and interpersonal relationships. These initial lessons form the building blocks of progressive lessons in values, fitness, leadership, and officership. A laboratory component is required, which includes physical fitness training and other outdoor skills. Corequesite: MLS 106

MLS 102 - Basic Leadership Skills and Concepts

Semester: Fall, Spring, and Summer Semester hours: 2 Establishes a foundation of basic leadership fundamentals, such as problem solving, communications, military briefings, effective writing, goal setting, and techniques for improving listening and speaking skills, in addition to an introduction to counseling. This course provides students with a basic understanding of situational leadership as it applies to the military and how the basic concepts and practices relate to individuals and organizations. A laboratory component is required, which includes physical fitness training and other outdoor skills. Corequesite: MLS 106

MLS 106 - Army Physical Conditioning and Training

Semester: Fall, Spring, and Summer Semester hours: 1 This course develops confidence and discipline in mind and body through a regimented and challenging physical conditioning course. It is designed to provide students a framework of fitness skills, planning, and testing for a lifetime of health. The course consists of three physical training (PT) sessions per week that include running, swimming, upper body, core development, sports, and team building exercises.Corequesite: enrollment in another MLS course

MLS 201 - Leadership Development and Life Skills

Semester: Fall, Spring, and Summer Semester hours: 3 Students develop an understanding of how to build teams, influence, and communicate, along with the processes for effective decision-making, creative problem-solving, and fundamentals of planning. Students identify successful leadership characteristics through observation of others and self through experiential learning exercises. A laboratory component is required, which includes physical fitness training and other outdoor skills. Corequesite: MLS 106

MLS 202 - Leadership Management and Team Building

Semester: Fall, Spring, and Summer Semester hours: 3 This course provides an advanced look at leadership principles and the application and practice of those principles. The course examines building successful teams, various methods for influencing action, effective communication, and achieving goals. Additionally, the course stresses the importance of timing decisions, creativity in the problem-solving process, and obtaining team buy-in through immediate feedback. A laboratory component is required, which includes physical fitness training and other outdoor skills. Corequesite: MLS 106

MLS 203 - Ranger Challenge - Practicum

Semester: Fall Semester hours: 1 This course provides a forum to execute and evaluate the leadership skills and abilities developed in practical exercises, tactical scenarios, and peer mentorship. This course evaluates the tactical, technical, and communication skills and duties common to all branches of the Army. Development of leadership and the ability to function effectively in small unit operations is also explored. A laboratory component is required, which includes physical fitness training and other outdoor skills. Prerequisite: consent of instructorCorequesite: MLS 101/201/301/401

MLS 204 - Leadership Training Course - Practicum

Semester: Summer Semester hours: 3 This course provides a forum for the development of military leadership fundamentals. The Leadership Training Course is four weeks of intense classroom and field training held in the summer at Fort Knox, Ky. This course is an accelerated version of the two years of leadership development training cadets receive in the basic course of ROTC. By transforming through this rigorous training, students will qualify for enrollment in the Army ROTC advanced course on campus – provided the student has two years of college remaining (undergraduate or graduate). Prerequisite: consent of instructor

MLS 301 - Small Unit Tactics and Operation

Semester: Fall Semester hours: 3 This course provides for the study, evaluation, and practice of the adaptive leadership model in order to acquire the same. The Leadership Development Program (LDP) is used to develop self-awareness, behavior modification, and critical thinking. Battle drills serve to assist the cadet in preparing for Warrior Forge. Students conduct a self-assessment of their leadership style, develop personal fitness regimens, and learn to plan and conduct individual/small unit tactical training while testing reasoning and problem-solving techniques. Students receive direct feedback on their leadership abilities. This course is restricted to contracted military science students. A laboratory component is required, which includes physical fitness training and other outdoor skills.Prerequisite: MLS 101, MLS 102, MIL 201, MLS 202, or MLS 204Corequesite: MLS 106

MLS 302 - Applied Leadership and Tactics Training

Semester: Spring Semester hours: 3 This course provides a forum to execute and evaluate the leadership skills and abilities developed in practical exercises, tactical scenarios, and mentorship. Students evaluate the tactical, technical, and administrative skills and duties common to all branches of the Army. This course explores the development of leadership behaviors and the ability to function effectively in small unit operations. It also examines the role communications, values, and ethics play in the leadership role. Topics include ethical decision-making, consideration of others, spirituality in the military, and case studies of effective leaders. The course will explore the leader’s role in planning, directing, and coordinating the efforts of individuals and small groups in tactical missions. A laboratory component is required, which includes physical fitness training, and other outdoor skills.Prerequisite: MLS 301Corequesite: MLS 106

MLS 303 - Warrior Forge

Semester: Summer Semester hours: 3 This course provides an environment to evaluate and enhance students’ leadership abilities in a controlled and challenging environment. This serves as the U.S. Army Cadet Command’s flagship training and assessment exercise held at Ft. Lewis, Washington, each summer. Every Army ROTC cadet wishing to be commissioned must successfully complete Warrior Forge. After graduation, most attendees will go back to their college/university to finish their degrees and then be commissioned. Prerequisite: MLS 302

MLS 401 - The Army Officer: Roles and Responsibilities

Semester: Fall Semester hours: 3 Students develop proficiency in planning and executing complex operations, functioning as a member of a staff, and mentoring subordinates. Students explore training management, methods of effective team collaboration, and developmental counseling techniques, along with the application of leadership principles and techniques involved in leading young men and women in today’s Army. This course is restricted to contracted military science students.Prerequisite: permission of instructorCorequesite: MLS 106

MLS 402 - Officership: Ethics and Justice in the Army

Semester: Spring Semester hours: 3 This course focuses on case study analysis of military law and practical exercises on establishing an ethical command climate. Future leaders must complete a semester-long senior leadership project that requires them to plan, organize, collaborate, analyze, and demonstrate their leadership skills. Students must also demonstrate an understanding of the ethical components of the Uniform Code of Military Justice and civil rights legislation. This course examines the military justice system and Army law administrations, along with the dynamics of leading in complex situations. This course is preparation for the transition from college student to commissioned officer in the Army. A laboratory component is required, which includes physical fitness training and other outdoor skills. Corequesite: MLS 106

MLS 404 - Advanced Leadership Practicum

Semester: Fall, Spring, and Summer Semester hours: 1-3 This course provides a study in military tactics, leadership, and organizational behavior and is closely supervised by military officers in order to provide one-on-one developmental counseling and mentorship. Enrollment is restricted to contracted military science students.Prerequisite: consent of instructor

MLS 405 - Leadership Special Topic

Semester: Fall, Spring, and Summer Semester hours: 1-4 This is a course of study not required in any curriculum, but for which there is a particular one-time need.Prerequisite: consent of instructor